Federer crashes out as Roddick says goodbye at U.S. Open

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Updated 1027 GMT (1727 HKT) September 6, 2012

2012 U.S. Open: The best photos175 photos

2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates his 2-6, 6-1, 6-4, 6-2 win over David Ferrer of Spain in the men's singles semifinal match at the 2012 U.S. Open on Sunday, September 9. The tournament, the last grand slam event of the year, continues through Monday in Queens, New York.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic serves to Ferrer as their match resumes Sunday after being delayed Saturday because of inclement weather.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ferrer returns a shot to Djokovic on Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic reacts to winning a point against Ferrer during the match Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ferrer, the No. 4 seed, serves to Djokovic, the No. 2 seed, Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic returns a shot against against Ferrer during their men's singles semifinal match of the 2012 US Open on Saturday, September 8. The match was stopped in the middle of the first set due to approaching severe weather and resumed on Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ferrer follows through his shot against Djokovic on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic comes down on the ball while playing Ferrer on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Spectators evacuate the Arthur Ashe Stadium during Ferrer and Djokovic's match as severe weather approached on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – British Andy Murray returns a shot against Czech Tomas Berdych during his men's singles semifinal match in the 2012 U.S. Open on Saturday, September 8.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Murray of Great Britain argues with the chair umpire Pascal Maria and Berdych on Saturday after the wind blew his hat off during their match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Berdych slams the ball onto Murray's side of the court on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Murray celebrates after winning a point against Berdych on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Rain falls on center court in Arthur Ashe stadium, causing officials to suspend play on day 13 of the 2012 U.S. Open on Saturday, September 8.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Grounds crew workers clear water during a rain delay on Saturday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Belarus' Victoria Azarenka stares down the ball during her women's singles semifinals match against Russia's Maria Sharapova during the U.S. Open on Friday, September 7.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sharapova returns a shot against Azarenka on Friday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Stefan 'Redfoo' Gordy of the American electro duo LMFAO attends the women's singles semifinal match between Azarenka and Sharapova on Friday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates match point against Sharapova on Friday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sarah Errani of Italy serves in her match against Serena Williams of the United States during a women's singles semifinal match Friday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Williams makes a return in her match against Errani.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan of the United States pose with their trophy after their men's doubles final match against Leander Paes of India and Radek Stepanek of the Czech Republic on Friday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Novak Djokovic of Serbia celebrates match point during his men's singles quarterfinal match against Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina on Thursday, September 6.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Juan Martin del Potro returns a shot against Novak Djokovic on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic returns a shot.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Juan Martin del Potro reacts at the net on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic lunges to make a return.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Spain's David Ferrer celebrates his men's singles quarterfinal victory over Serbia's Janko Tipsarevic on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ferrer returns a shot against Tipsarevic during their quarterfinal match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Tipsarevic makes a backhand return to Ferrer.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Tipsarevic slips on the court while attempting a return shot.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ekaterina Makarova of Russia and Bruno Soares of Brazil celebrate after defeating Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic and Marcin Matkowski of Poland to win their mixed doubles final match on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Eugenie Bouchard of Canada returns a shot against Victoria Duval of the U.S. on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ipek Soylu of Turkey wipes her face during a break against American Chalena Scholl during their girl's juniors singles match on Thursday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Andy Roddick of the United States salutes the crowd after losing his final career match to Juan Martin del Potro of Argentina in their men's singles fourth-round match at the 2012 U.S. Open on Wednesday, September 5.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Coach Larry Stefanki, left trainer Doug Spreen, wife Brooklyn Decker and agent Graham Cross watch Roddick in his final match on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Del Potro plays returns a backhand to Roddick on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roddick chases down the ball during his match against del Potro on Wednesday. Roddick announced he would retire after this Grand Slam.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Russian Maria Sharapova serves to France's Marion Bartoli during their women's singles quarterfinal match on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Bartoli returns a shot against Sharapova on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – NBA basketball player Tyson Chandler and his daughter Sacha-Marie attend the U.S. Open on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Serbia's Novak Djokovic pulls back to return a shot to Stanislas Wawrinka of Switzerland during his men's singles fourth-round match on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Wawrinka carries his broken racquet off the court during his match on Wednesday against Djokovic.

2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Vinci serves to fellow Italian Errani on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Serbian Janko Tipsarevic clenches his fist after a play against German Philipp Kohlschreiber on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – France's Marion Bartoli reacts to a point against Maria Sharapova of Russia on Wednesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Attendants get the court ready for Wednesday's match between Bartoli and Sharapova.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Victoria Azarenka of Belarus celebrates after defeating Samantha Stosur of Australia to win their women's singles quarterfinals match on Tuesday, September 4.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – David Ferrer of Spain returns a shot against Richard Gasquet of France during their men's singles fourth-round match on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Samantha Stosur of Australia returns a shot against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Victoria Azarenka of Belarus reacts against Samantha Stosur of Australia on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Spectators shelter under umbrellas as rain delays play during the women's singles quarterfinal match between Maria Sharapova of Russia and Marion Bartoli of France on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Samantha Stosur of Australia makes a return shot in her women's singles match against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roberta Vinci serves as she and Italian teammate Sara Errani play a women's doubles quarterfinals match on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – The braids of Victoria Azarenka of Belarus swing with her follow-through during her match on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – A grounds crew dries the court Tuesday after rain suspended play.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Julia Goerges, left, of Germany and Kristyna Pliskova of the Czech Republic react after a point against Sara Errani and Roberta Vinci of Italy on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – American Serena Williams returns a shot Monday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Mike Bryan, right, and Bob Bryan of the United States bump chests in celebration during their doubles match against Santiago Gonzalez of Mexico and Scott Lipsky of the United States on Monday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sara Errani of Italy hits a return to Angelique Kerber of Germany during their women's singles match on Monday.

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us open day nine 05 – Marion Bartoli of France serves against Maria Sharapova of Russia on Tuesday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Martin Klizan of Slovakia takes a tumble Monday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Taylor Townsend of the United States serves during her doubles match on Monday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Canadian player Milos Raonic of Canada prepares to serve on Monday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Andy Roddick of the United States celebrates after defeating Fabio Fognini of Italy on Sunday, September 2.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Fognini wipes his face with a towel during his men's singles third-round match against Roddick.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roddick returns a shot to Fognini.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Russia's Maria Sharapova returns a shot to Nadia Petrova of Russia and wins Sunday's match to move on to the quarterfinals.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Leonardo Mayer of Argentina hits a return to Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina during their men's singles third-round match Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Anna Tatishvili of Georgia celebrates a point during her women's singles fourth-round match Sunday against Victoria Azarenka of Belarus.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany returns a shot to John Isner of the United States on Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Novak Djokovic of Serbia waves to the crowd Sunday after winning his men's singles third-round match against Julien Benneteau of France.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Benneteau returns a shot to Djokovic.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Djokovic serves to Benneteau.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Lleyton Hewitt of Australia hits a return to David Ferrer of Spain during their men's singles match Sunday.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Fernando Verdasco of Spain returns a shot to top-ranked Roger Federer of Switzerland during their men's singles match at the U.S. Open on Saturday, September 1.

2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Spectators inside a packed Arthur Ashe Stadium watch the second-round match between American Andy Roddick and Australia's Bernard Tomic.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Roddick celebrates a point during his men's singles second round match Tomic. Roddick, 30, who has announced he will retire after the U.S. Open, won in three sets.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Maria Sharapova of Russia returns a shot against Mallory Burdette of the United States during their women's singles third-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ryan Harrison of the United States reacts after a point against Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina in a second- round singles match. Del Potro won in four sets.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Czech Lucie Safarova serves to Russian Nadia Petrova of Russia during their third round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Jarkko Nieminen of Finland serves against John Isner of the United States.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – American Steve Johnson returns a shot against Latvian Ernests Gulbis.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Samantha Stosur of Australia serves the ball against Varvara Lepchenko of the United States during their third-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – David Ferrer of Spain serves against Igor Sijsling of the Netherlands.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Varvara Lepchenko of the United States returns against Samantha Stosur of Australia.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Samantha Stosur of Australia serves against Varvara Lepchenko of the United States during a women's singles third round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Angelique Kerber of Germany celebrates match point after her women's second round match against Venus Williams of the United States on Day Four of the 2012 US Open on Thursday, August 30.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Venus Williams of the United States reacts during her women's second round match against Angelique Kerber of Germany.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Ana Ivanovic of Serbia returns a shot against Sofia Arvidsson of Sweden during their women's singles second-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – A ball boy stands by during the match between Kei Nishikori of Japan and Tim Smyczek of the United States.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Maria Kirilenko of Russia serves against Greta Arn of Hungary.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Pablo Andujar of Spain serves against Feliciano Lopez of Spain during their men's singles second-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France jumps over the net while trying to return a shot against Martin Klizan of Slovakia.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Andy Murray of Great Britain plays a backhand during a practice session.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Nicolas Almagro of Spain lies on the court as he celebrates match point after his men's singles second-round match against Philipp Petzschner of Germany.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Philipp Petzschner of Germany reacts during his men's singles second round-match against Nicolas Almagro of Spain.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Philipp Petzschner of Germany slides during his men's singles second-round match against Nicolas Almagro of Spain.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Mardy Fish of the United States celebrates after defeating Nikolay Davydenko of Russia.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Tatjana Malek of Germany returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Sloane Stephens of the United States.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sloane Stephens of the United States returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Tatjana Malek of Germany.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sloane Stephens of the United States reacts during her women's singles second-round match against Tatjana Malek of Germany.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Kim Clijsters of Belgium reacts during her second round match loss to Laura Robson of Great Britain.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Italian Andreas Seppi hits a backhand during his men's singles first-round match against Spaniard Tommy Robredo.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Serbian Janko Tipsarevic serves against Guillaume Rufin of France.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Sisters and doubles partners Venus Williams, left, and Serena Williams of the U.S. take on U.S. players Mallory Burdette and Nicole Gibbs during their women's doubles first-round match.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – France's Alize Cornet returns a shot during her women's singles second-round match against Czech Petra Kvitova.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Mikhail Youzhny of Russia reacts during his match against Gilles Muller of Luxembourg.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – U.S. players Bob Bryan and Mike Bryan chest bump after winning match point in their men's doubles first-round match against Belgian players David Goffin and Steve Darcis.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Juan Martin Del Potro of Argentina serves against Florent Serra of France.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – Spain's Tommy Robredo poaches the ball during his men's singles first-round match against Italian Andreas Seppi.

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2012 U.S. Open: The best photos – The water fountain under the iconic unisphere produces a rainbow at the grounds of the National Tennis Center.

Story highlights

Andy Roddick retires after losing in four sets to Juan Martin Del Potro in fourth round

Defending champion Novak Djokovic will play Argentine star in quarterfinals

Roger Federer crashed out of the U.S. Open after a surprise defeat at the hands of Czech sixth seed Tomas Berdych, ending the world No. 1's hopes of winning a record sixth title in the professional era.

Berdych won 7-6 (7-1) 6-4 3-6 6-3 in under three hours in Wednesday's evening session to reach the semifinals for the first time at Flushing Meadows.

"I just didn't come up with the goods tonight," said Federer, in quotes carried on the official tournament website, after his first match in four days following a walkover against American Mardy Fish.

"He probably created more than I did, and that's why he ended up winning."

Federer made his earliest exit in New York since 2003 and now has an 11-5 record against the 26-year-old -- who beat him at the 2004 Olympics and at Wimbledon in 2010, when he went on to lose in the final.

Berdych will face Olympic champion Andy Murray in the last four, afterthe Scot came back from a set down to oust giant Croatian Marin Cilic, winning 3-6 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-0.

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Cilic, who will be left to rue a number of missed opportunities, surrendered a 5-1 lead in the second set.

This proved to be a turning point for the resurgent Murray, who finally found his rhythm as his confidence grew. All of a sudden, he had answers to the 12th seed's massive serve and booming forehand as he breezed through the next two sets to earn a place in the semis.

The match had been moved from the main Arthur Ashe Stadium to the Louis Armstrong court, and 2008 U.S. Open finalist Murray struggled in front of an initially small crowd against a player who beat him at the same tournament three years ago.

"You have to be able to create your own atmosphere when you're on the court, but I did play better when the crowd filled up," said Murray, still seeking his first grand slam title after losing to Federer in July's Wimbledon final.

"It's a quicker court. When you switch from one court to the other, it can take time to get into a rhythm. I have never played particularly well on that court."

Earlier, 2009 U.S. Open champion Juan Martin Del Potro brought the curtain down on Andy Roddick's glittering career by beating the home favorite in four sets in their rain-delayed fourth-round match on Arthur Ashe.

Roddick, the last U.S. male to win a grand slam when he triumphed in New York in 2003, announced last week that it would be his last tournament.

At home with Rafael Nadal 6 photos

At home with Rafael Nadal 6 photos

Inside the Nadal camp – CNN's Open Court show visited Rafael Nadal at his home island of Mallorca, where he was interviewed by Pedro Pinto.

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At home with Rafael Nadal 6 photos

Family affair – Pinto also talked to Nadal's uncle Toni, who has coached the Spaniard since he was a young boy.

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At home with Rafael Nadal 6 photos

Shy star – Despite his global appeal, Nadal says he's still trying to lose his shy side in front of the cameras.

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At home with Rafael Nadal 6 photos

Home boy – Unlike many sports stars, Nadal has stayed close to his roots and not uprooted to more glamorous locales after becoming successful.

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At home with Rafael Nadal 6 photos

Sea view – The tranquility of Mallorca is just one of the reasons that Rafa has stayed on the island, according to his uncle.

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At home with Rafael Nadal 6 photos

Proud uncle – Toni Nadal is confident Rafa will bounce back after missing the Olympics and U.S. Open due to his ongoing knee problems.

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Venus Williams' fashion highs and lows 8 photos

Venus Williams' fashion highs and lows8 photos

'Better than 10' – Tennis star Venus Williams has relaunched her clothing label EleVen ahead of the U.S. Open. The 32-year-old took time out of her playing career to graduate from fashion school.

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Venus Williams' fashion highs and lows8 photos

Standing out from the crowd – Williams has had a distinctive look since she first burst onto the scene in the mid-1990s. As a teenager she was well known for her braided hair.

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Venus Williams' fashion highs and lows8 photos

Not-so-mellow yellow – As her career continued and her interest in fashion grew, Williams began to experiement with her on-court outfits. At the 2010 Australian Open, the seven-time grand slam champion sported this neon yellow number.

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Racy in red – Williams lit up the clay at a WTA event in Madrid in 2010 with this risque red and black dress.

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Venus Williams' fashion highs and lows8 photos

Baring it all – The former world No. 1 caused a stir by wearing flesh colored shorts under a corset dress at Roland Garros in 2010.

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Venus Williams wimbledon 2010 – The 2010 season proved to be one of Williams' most experimental. But the American proved she can also stand out when observing the strict all-white code at Wimbledon.

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Venus Williams' fashion highs and lows8 photos

Pretty in pink – At the final grand slam of 2010, Williams opted for a short pink dress with sparkly decoration at her home U.S. Open.

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Venus Williams' fashion highs and lows8 photos

Australian Open 2011 – She began 2011 in equally bold style, turning out at the Australian Open in a yellow lattice dress.

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EXPAND GALLERY

The former world No. 1 met his match against the seventh-seeded Argentinian, who will play defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals.

When play resumed after being tied at 6-6 in the first set from Tuesday, Roddick took the tiebreaker but he could make no further progress against the 23-year-old Olympic bronze medalist.

There were no breaks of service in the second, but Del Potro took the tiebreaker and then proceeded to dominate, completing a 6-7 (1-7) 7-6 (7-4) 6-2 6-4 victory.

Roddick was visibly emotional in the final game on the Arthur Ashe Stadium Court and received a huge ovation from the crowd as he bowed out.

"Playing the last five games was pretty hard. Once I got down a break, I could barely look at my (players) box," Roddick said.

"I don't know what the emotions are. I'm a little overwhelmed right now. I normally feel like I can grasp things pretty quickly and clearly. I certainly don't feel that way right now."

World No. 2 Djokovic had easier progress, as his opponent Stanislas Wawrinka was forced to retire when trailing by two sets and 3-1 in the third.

The Swiss 18th seed complained of feeling ill as the rain-delayed match came to a swift conclusion.

"It's an unfortunate situation that happened with him, but I felt that I was hitting the ball well in the last two sets before that happened," said Djokovic, who reached his sixth successive U.S. Open quarterfinal, having dropped just 20 games in four matches.

"Hopefully I can keep that going for the next match."

His fellow Serbian, eighth seed Janko Tipsarevic, reached the last eight at Flushing Meadows for the second straight year as he eased past Germany's No. 19 Philipp Kohlschreiber of Germany 6-3 7-6 (7-5) 6-2.